Agenda item

It was resolved to implement the recommendations of the investigation of the Communities Scrutiny Committee working group which included the following:

·         To use the powers of the Environmental Protection Act (1990), Sections 46 to 47ZA, which relate to waste containers, to fine residents and businesses who dispose of their waste on the wrong day or in the wrong way, as a matter of priority.

·         To undertake a county-wide promotion campaign to raise awareness of the waste and recycling arrangements, focusing specifically on the City of Bangor and acknowledge the geographical and demographic differences in the county at different times of the year. 

·         To place "QR Code" stickers on recycling receptacles to allow 24 hour access to residents to their waste and recycling collection days and information on items that can be recycled. 

·         To formalise collaboration arrangements between Council Departments.

·         To raise awareness of the Clinical Collections Services and Collection Assistance Service available for older people and disabled people to dispose of their waste.  This can be done as part of the broader promotion campaign.

·         To promote the current network of Recycling Centres and hold a specific campaign to promote the Bulky Waste Collection Service. 

Presented by Cllr Catrin Wager

            DECISION

It was resolved to implement the recommendations of the investigation of the Communities Scrutiny Committee working group which included the following:

·         To use the powers of the Environmental Protection Act (1990), Sections 46 to 47ZA, which relate to waste containers, to fine residents and businesses who dispose of their waste on the wrong day or in the wrong way, as a matter of priority.

·         To undertake a county-wide promotion campaign to raise awareness of the waste and recycling arrangements, focusing specifically on the City of Bangor and to acknowledge the geographical and demographic differences within the county at different times of the year. 

·         To place "QR Code" stickers on recycling receptacles to allow 24 hour access to residents to their waste and recycling collection days and information on items that can be recycled. 

·         To formalise collaboration arrangements between Council Departments.

·         To raise awareness of the Clinical Collections Services and Collection Assistance Service available for older people and disabled people to dispose of their waste.  This can be done as part of the broader promotion campaign.

To promote the current network of Recycling Centres and hold a specific campaign to promote the Bulky Waste Collection Service. 

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, noting that the report had derived from a notice of motion by the former Councillor, Lesley Day, at the Full Council in March 2017. It was added that the matter had been referred to the Communities Scrutiny Committee, that decided to hold a Scrutiny Investigation.

The Scrutiny Investigation was submitted, noting that it was a thorough investigation that had engaged with a wide range of Gwynedd residents. Attention was drawn to the recommendations, and it was expressed that specific focus had been given to the City of Bangor, as the problems there would need to be addressed in a slightly different way.

It was expressed that the recommendations noted the use of the powers of the Environmental Protection Act, which included sections where it would be possible to charge residents and businesses a fine. It was emphasised that there would be clear steps in place before fines would be issued to residents and businesses, which included holding discussions with the individuals. It was noted that the proposed recommendations were fair and practical.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾    It was noted that the majority of residents put their bins away after they were emptied, but it was added that there were cases to be seen where bins were put back in a disorderly manner by the workforce. It was asked whether there were steps to mitigate this as well. It was expressed that steps were currently being taken to amend the workforce's work pattern; through this, it was hoped that it would mitigate the problems that arose in terms of missed collections and complaints.

¾    It was expressed that it was very good that the Cabinet was working jointly with the Scrutiny Committee, and it was noted that the steps encouraged working with communities. It was expressed that there had been cuts to the department in recent years, and therefore there was a need to ensure that resources were available for the scheme.

¾    It was emphasised that 40% of the county's houses were holiday homes, and therefore it was asked whether there was a procedure in place to manage them. It was noted that if the Holiday Homes paid business rates, the service charged a fee for collecting waste, and there had been trials in Abersoch, working with Holiday Home Agencies to ensure that waste was collected, for a fee, on specific days.

¾    Attention was drawn to the value of the equality procedure in the investigation, as it was extremely important that no unfair fine was given to anyone.

¾    It was emphasised that some areas needed clear plans where there were no locations available to keep the bins. It was also noted that there was a need to work with Landlords, specifically in the Bangor area. It was expressed that the policy emphasised that the tenants would be fined; however, the Landlord could be fined if the correct equipment was not available to the tenants.

¾    A concern was raised about elderly and vulnerable people, and assurance was requested that they would not be immediately fined. It was noted that this would not happen, and it was noted that the department hoped that by having specific teams working in areas, a relationship could be developed with the residents of those areas.

¾    It was noted that it would be a good idea to send a letter to the former Councillor Lesley Day, noting the steps that had been taken following her notice of motion